The convention was held at Tenerife, the largest of the seven Canary Islands, off the coast of Africa, under the sponsorship of the government of the archipelago (one of Spain’s autonomous communities), the Fundación Carolina and the Spanish Foreign Ministry. Nearly one hundred people attended.

At the round table titled “The Spanish Footprint in the United States: History as Opportunity,” participants discussed ways the celebration of Juan Ponce de León’s arrival in Florida in 1513 could best contribute to preserving Spain’s legacy in the United States.

The president of the España-Florida 500 Years Foundation, Emilio Sánchez, acted as moderator and explained the goals of the organization, founded in 2008 to organize activities around the quincentennial.

"The celebration of Florida’s 500th birthday is a unique opportunity to highlight the importance of Spain’s contribution to U.S. history. It is an occasion that will serve to strengthen the bonds between the two nations," Sánchez said.

The celebration also provides the opportunity to recognize the valuable contribution the Hispanic community in general has made to U.S. history over the past 500 years and help preserve that legacy, he noted.

Round table participants included Eduardo Garrigues, secretary-general of the United States-Spain Council Foundation; Stephen Morris of the U.S. National Park Service; Borja Cardelús, president of the Ibero-American Culture Center; and Alfonso Chiscano, president of the Friends of the Canary Islands Foundation.

A similar round table addressed the subject of “The Role of Latin Migrations and Organizations in Latin America’s Development.” Participants included Ramiro J. Atristaín-Carrión, president of the Association of Hispanic Leaders; Julissa Reynoso, deputy assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. State Department;Juan González, executive assistant for Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. State Department; and José Miguel Ruano, the Canary Islands’ Presidency, Justice and Security minister.